Exploring my experiences with mental illness

Stay Safe

Sorry for the late entry. I tried to go to sleep, but I couldn’t stay there. While I seem to be having a relatively good time, I have some friends who aren’t doing as well. In fact, they seem to be doing pretty badly. And as hard as I try and as much as I wish, there isn’t much I can do to help them. Most of what I can do is be willing to listen if they want to talk, or just be willing to sit with them if it makes them feel comfortable. But man, not being able to do anything to make my friends feel better is almost physically painful.

Let’s be clear – I don’t feel anything like pity for my friends. For the most part, their problems are depression-related, and if you’ve read this blog, you know I have plenty of experience with that particular monster. I empathize with my friends, because I know the kind of hell depression can be, and just because I’m not there now doesn’t mean I don’t remember how it felt.It’s because I know how it feels that I would say that I would cut off my own arm if it would mean I could do something helpful.

Since I can’t do anything to help, I guess all I can do is offer mental, emotional, and moral support. I can offer to be here if they need me, to listen if they want, and to let them know that I know how terrible depression can be and I feel so badly that it keeps me up at night. I can hope that they read this, and maybe decide to talk to me about it. But what I really want to say is right to them, and it is this: stay safe. Please. You are my friends, and I love you and care about you. You are not alone.